.@UkraineSummit: Energy security is national security. As #Ukraine debates its future, I hope it chooses the road to energy independence.
— Geoffrey Pyatt (@GeoffPyatt) June 24, 2014
By improving domestic production, import options & energy efficiency, #Ukraine can achieve its European choice and create a vibrant economy.
— Geoffrey Pyatt (@GeoffPyatt) June 24, 2014
.@REHBudapest also spoke at @UkraineSummit, underscoring how energy efficiency can help make #Ukraine more independent from Russian gas.
— Geoffrey Pyatt (@GeoffPyatt) June 24, 2014
So much for the ceasefire in east Ukraine, where the National Guard are claiming rebels shot down a helicopter: http://t.co/0i47fDOxc5
— max seddon (@maxseddon) June 24, 2014
URGENT: #Ukraine helicopter brought down by self defense forces fire near Slavyansk, several feared dead - @Reuters via military spokesman
— RT (@RT_com) June 24, 2014
Might have to update that "the ceasefire appeared largely to have held" lead... reports of Ukrainian chopper down near Slavyansk, 9 dead.
— Shaun Walker (@shaunwalker7) June 24, 2014
News of the shooting down of a Ukrainian helicopter is also coming in on the wires:
A Ukrainian official says pro-Russian separatists have shot down a Ukrainian Army helicopter near the city of Slovyansk in eastern Ukraine.
Ukrainian security forces spokesman Vladyslav Seleznyov said on his Facebook page that there were nine people on board the Mi-8 copter and all had died in the crash.
The incident comes one day after separatist officials in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions announced that they would observe a temporary cease-fire until June 27.
VIENNA (AP) — Putin says weeklong cease-fire in Ukraine should be extended, accompanied by talks.
— Alicia A. Caldwell (@acaldwellap) June 24, 2014
Separatists shoot down Ukrainian helicopter, Putin says let's extend the "cease-fire": http://t.co/FpuCLiU8g2
— Michael Weiss (@michaeldweiss) June 24, 2014
Here's the latest Ukraine-related update from RFE/RL's news desk:
Russian President Vladimir Putin has asked the Federation Council to revoke its authorization for Russian military forces to intervene in Ukraine.
But Putin said in Vienna today that Russia will continue to protect the interests of ethnic Russians in Ukraine.
Lawmakers are expected to withdraw the mandate on tomorrow.
Putin also said today that a temporary cease-fire between government forces and pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine should be extended and "used for substantial negotiations."
Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin is trying to normalize the atmosphere and resolve the Ukrainian crisis.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko called Putin's request to lawmakers the "first practical step" by Russia toward settling the crisis.
Putin's announcement comes one day after EU foreign ministers urged the Kremlin to revoke the March 1 mandate authorizing Putin to deploy Russian troops in Ukraine.
See who east Ukrainian rebels support in football ... World Cup adopted teams: who's following who around the world http://t.co/rCBi2RlNsX
— Alec Luhn (@ASLuhn) June 24, 2014
Ukraine's president may call off a ceasefire after rebels in the east downed a helicopter, killing all 9 on board: http://t.co/w23npm9JVd
— max seddon (@maxseddon) June 24, 2014